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Arizona State Football: Breaking down the Sun Devils’ 2017 QB battle

By Erich Hilkert

TUCSON, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils throws a pass during the second quarter of the Territorial Cup college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on November 25, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils throws a pass during the second quarter of the Territorial Cup college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on November 25, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 3: Blake Barnett #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws against the USC Trojans in the first quarter during the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 3: Blake Barnett #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws against the USC Trojans in the first quarter during the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Option 2: Blake Barnett

In some ways, Blake Barnett is still largely unproven. He was a five-star recruit coming out of high school. Barnett redshirted the 2015 season at Alabama.

While 2016 looked promising when he earned the starting job out of the gate, he was pulled after just one series and Jalen Hurts took over the starting job for the rest of the season. In all, Barnett finished his Alabama career 11-of-19 passing for 219 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. His stats form a promising start but nothing definitive.

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As of now, Barnett has yet to show the poise Sun Devils’ fans saw from Wilkins last season standing in the pocket and taking a shot while waiting for an open receiver. For that matter, Hurts went on to show calm under pressure that Barnett simply hasn’t had a fair chance to display.

At this point, Barnett remains full of potential but a relative unknown in terms of what he can produce on a college field.

Still, Barnett has great size and limited experience at an elite program. At the very least, he is an outstanding backup. If Wilkins falters, Barnett presents an intriguing alternative with good arm strength.

Because Barnett is relatively new to the program, he still has to build relationships and trust with his new teammates, something Wilkins had already established by the time Barnett decided to transfer to Arizona State.

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